Gile na Gile – Brightness of Brightness The Music and Journeys of Aodhagáin Ó Rathaille

Composed and presented by Lorcán Mac Mathúna (voice), Martin Tourish (accordion), and Éamonn Galldubh (pipes and flute).

The Gaelic world fell apart during the life of Aodhagáin Ó Rathaille, and he was one of the leading chroniclers of this traumatic turn in Irish history and literature. He was born during the era of the Bardic School but died in poverty during penal times and the times of the subverted Bardic Court. He was one of the chief generators of the new movement in literature which produced the Aisling; the music of hope during a hopeless first.

The Rathailleach wrote deep, bold and fierce poetry. His poetry was a savage witness to a brutal and tragic time, written with clarity and always an eye for beauty in words. He wrote lyrically, with musical rhythm and alliterative pathos. The most capable poet of a new era of Irish. A poet who has not yet been surpassed. With his sui generis writings in the newly evolving style of Irish poetry, it can be said that O Rathaille is the father of modern Irish literature.

We will travel with O Rathaille through his poetry. Poetry that stands as one of the clearest witnesses of the 18th Century in Ireland. Musical, lyrical poetry, which gave the poet’s perspective on a world that, was changing traumatically. His unique lyrics give us a perspective divided between despair and optimism.

Friday 17 October 21:00p.m.

Ticktets €20/25 on Eventbrite